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RTS Index growing after official rates release by Bank of Russia

The RTS Index gained 0.18% to 1,098.6 points

MOSCOW, June 16. /TASS/. The RTS Index started growing on the Moscow Exchange after the release of official currency rates by the Bank of Russia, according to the Moscow Exchange.

The regulator lowered the rates to 78.5067 rubles for the dollar, increased them to 90.9438 rubles for the euro, and cut them to 10.8979 rubles for the yuan for May 6.

The RTS Index gained 0.18% to 1,098.6 points. The MOEX Russia Index lost 0.47% to 2,737.51 points at the same time.

Sky News Arabia presenter to moderate SPIEF session with Putin's participation

Dmitry Peskov said that Nadim Koteich has already met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he spoke with the president during a meeting with BRICS media editors-in-chief ahead of the Kazan summit

Iran may isolate some of US Navy warships in Persian Gulf — NYT

According to the newspaper, Iran has an opportunity to install mines in the Strait of Hormuz, which will leave US warships isolated in the Persian Gulf

Tornado-S rockets effectively break through Ukrainian air defense

The rockets have an advanced inertial guidance system that successfully operates in conditions of satellite channel jamming, which is important in modern war that uses a lot of electronic warfare systems

Grossi made IAEA tool for unleashing war against Iran — MFA

Esmaeil Baghaei contended that the IAEA has failed to produce concrete evidence that Iran is actively seeking to develop nuclear weapons

Putin says not even discussing possibility of Ayatollah Khamenei’s assassination

Russian President said at a meeting with the heads of the world's leading news agencies organized by TASS, when asked what Russia's reaction would be if Israel were to assassinate the ayatollah

Seven Russian citizens were among evacuated crew of tanker Adalynn — consulate-general

According to an official from the Russian consulate general in Dubai, the entire evacuated crew has been accommodated in a hotel in the emirate of Fujairah

Some 488,000 explosive devices defused in Kursk Region this year

As of June 19, a total of 42,000 hectares of land have been cleared from mines

West to cut arms flow to Kiev amid Iran-Israel conflict — Russian official

Zaporozhye Region Governor Yevgeny Balitsky urged to take advantage of the situation

Kata'ib Hezbollah threatens to close straits of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb

The Kata'ib Hezbollah spokesman added that US planes "should expect surprises" in the skies above the Middle East

Moscow determined not to lose advantage over Kiev, says Kremlin spokesman

Russia has repeatedly stated that it will only agree to a ceasefire if Kiev stops getting foreign military aid

Military conflict in Ukraine could spread to Europe — Kherson governor

Vladimir Saldo added that continued military supplies to Ukraine are more probable than direct involvement of European troops in the conflict

Russia’s Angara-A5 carrier rocket with satellites blasts off from Plesetsk spaceport

Angara is a family of Russian launch vehicles ranging from light-to heavy-lift classes

Iranian air defense thwarts Israeli drone attack on Tehran province — IRGC

According to the report, two drones were destroyed near Tehran’s oil refinery

Finance minister says Russian economy cooling down

Anton Siluanov added that summer always comes after the cold

Another group of Russian soldiers returned in prisoner swap with Ukraine

In exchange, a group of Ukrainian POWs was handed over to Kiev

Impossible to guarantee ZNPP security even if Kiev's forces pushed 20-30 km from Dnieper

According to Yevgeny Balitsky, the Governor of Zaporozhye Region, a victory over the Kiev regime is essential

Putin and Xi Jinping highlight growth in Russia-China economic cooperation

Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov said that last year, trade turnover once again reached a record high, approaching $245 bln

Leaders of Russia, China agree to give orders to exchange data on Iran — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov said that Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping concurred on the importance of close coordination in the coming days

Russia hopes blocking of Strait of Hormuz can be avoided — Russian Deputy Prime Minister

According to Alexander Novak, of all the world's oil exports, about one-third comes from the Persian Gulf countries through the Strait of Hormuz

Israel’s Iron Dome intercepted 65% of Iranian missiles over past day, news report says

According to the official, Iranian missiles are equipped with a navigation system for the final phase of their flight that helps them accurately hit designated targets

Israel attacks Iran’s Rasht off Caspian Sea coast

The strike was delivered on the territory of the Sefidrud Technology Park

IAEA chief hopes US will not use bunker-busting bombs against Fordow facility in Iran

According to Rafael Grossi, allegations that Iran could create a nuclear bomb in the near future are "pure speculation"

IDF registers launch of Iranian missiles towards Israel

Civilians were instructed to enter a protected space and remain there until further notice

Iran won’t halt strikes until after Israel pays reparations — National Security Council

The council warned that Iran will retaliate immediately to any country that will step in the conflict on the side of Israel

Russian economy on brink of recession — economic development minister

Maxim Reshetnikov noted that figures point to slowdown

Trump fears Iran may turn into 'another Libya' — NYP

According to information obtained by New York Post, Trump favors limited strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites in Natanz and Fordow

IAEA to continue inspections in Iran when security conditions permit — chief

The organization's CEO noted that he will remain in the country

Russia ready to supply oil for Hungary-Serbia pipeline — Novak

According to the Russian deputy prime minister, this is a significant project that will broaden Serbia’s access to oil supply routes

Largest protest since declaration of martial law takes place in Kiev

The protesters gathered downtown near the entrance to the House of Trade Unions, which was cordoned off by the police

INTERVIEW: Russian trade ministry plans to reduce costs of first batches of Russian planes

At present, the work is under way to contract the following batches with deliveries until 2030

Ukraine operation confirms advantages of Russian weapons over western ones

Russian Security Council Deputy Secretary Alexey Shevtsov still noted that the latest weapons are useless without properly trained personnel

Colombia officially joins BRICS bank — Foreign Minister

According to Laura Sarabia, joining the NDB shows that the republic's leadership continues "forging new paths toward opportunities for the country"

Trump leaves G7 Summit early because of Macron, Zelensky — media

The US president departed before the meeting concluded, failing to sign the draft joint statement of the G7 leaders regarding the Iran-Israel conflict

Iran denies former president Ahmadinejad was killed

Some news media earlier reported that the former president was killed in Tehran

Israel attacks missile systems, radar installations in Isfahan, Tehran — army

According to the report, "this strike expands the Israeli Air Force’s freedom of aerial operation in Iranian airspace, following the breakthrough to Tehran"

Iran launches combined strike on Israel using strategic missiles, drones — IRGC

According to the report, during the attack, a precision strike was launched at a command and reconnaissance center of the Israeli regime’s army, located near a hospital

Internal division poses greater threat to Israel than Iran — former Mossad chief

Tamir Pardo identified deep societal rifts, the unresolved Palestinian conflict and political radicalization as the real risks

Air defenses down 61 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions last night — Defense Ministry

Voronezh Region Governor Alexander Gusev said that there were no casualties or damage

Iran strikes Israel’s cyber command headquarters — IRNA

According to the news agency, thousands of servicemen responsible for intelligence data processing and cyber operations were stationed there

Iran launches Sejil medium-range missile in combat conditions for first time — news agency

According to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Tehran launched three such missiles into Israeli territory

Global economy will not benefit from Israeli-Iranian conflict

Russian presidential envoy for relations with international organizations Boris Titov said that relations between Israel and Iran have been virtually non-existent for quite a while, because "both states are in a semi-war state"

Russia will achieve goals on Ukraine militarily if peace effort fails — Putin

The Russian President stated this at a meeting organized by TASS with the heads of leading world news agencies

At least 16 detained in Iran on suspicion of supporting Israel

The detainees are accused of "sowing panic on the internet in an attempt to weaken the solidarity in the Iranian society"

Date for third round of Ukraine talks to be determined next week — Kremlin

"We, of course, will have to compare the reaction of the sides to the memorandums" that the countries exchanged at the latest talks in Turkey, according to Dmitry Peskov

Iran warns Qatar about potential strikes on US bases — newspaper

The targets of Iranian strikes, in case the US decides to join the Israeli operation against Tehran, may become other US bases throughout the Middle East, as well as Washington's diplomatic missions in the region, The Washington Post pointed out

Trump should not expect ‘small and victorious’ war against Iran — Russian senator

In Russian Federation Council Deputy Speaker Konstantin Kosachev words, Trump "has not proven to be effective as far as his other policies are concerned"

For Russia, Zelensky's signature holds no weight, Ukraine’s opposition politician says

Viktor Medvedchuk explained that the Ukrainian state is currently in a state of decline, primarily due to internal factors

Iran shoots down fifth Israeli F-35 — municipal authorities

According to the report, the fighter plane was taken down in the Javadabad area of the Varamin municipal district

Attacks on nuclear facilities could lead to new Chernobyl tragedy — Medvedev

"Everyone, even the Israeli defense minister, with his loud declaration about Khamenei's fate, must understand that attacks on nuclear facilities are extremely dangerous and can lead to a repeat of the Chernobyl tragedy," he said

Russia intends to withdraw from agreement on military-technical cooperation with Germany

The Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized that the German leadership is deliberately ideologically manipulating the German population in the anti-Russian direction, openly provoking the exacerbation of the military-political situation

Russia set to build relations with Syria’s incumbent government — Kremlin spokesman

In many aspects, the events in Syria were caused partially by external influence, Dmitry Peskov believes

Khamenei’s adviser says West wants to subdue Iran, doesn’t care about nuclear program

"They want domination over Iran and are trying to undermine the foundations of our national dignity," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said

US intelligence believes that strike on Fordow may spur Iran’s nuclear ambitions

In their opinion, the killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei may also prompt Iran to make a nuclear weapon

Iranian missile strikes on Israel completely cripple Tel Aviv — news agency

It is noted that the missile strikes resulted in power outages and disrupted fuel supplies

Kremlin spokesman sees current Middle East situation as dangerous for entire world

Dmitry Peskov added that an enlargement of the composition of the participants of the conflict is potentially even more dangerous

US could strike Iran as soon as next weekend — Hersh

According to the American journalist Seymour Hersh, the operation will "entail heavy American bombing"

US doesn’t see any signs China could provide military assistance to Iran — White House

According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the US president "enjoys a very respectful and cordial relationship" with China's President Xi Jinping

Russia demands official apology from Rome over 'monstrous' Kremlin post — diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, "the situation with free speech in Italy has reached a really frightening stage"

Trump administration not fond of Zelensky office head Yermak — newspaper

One of the people familiar with Andrey Yermak’s interactions with the administration of US President Donald Trump described him as a "bipartisan irritator"

Downed F-35, US fleet withdrawal, secret Chinese flights: news on Israel-Iran conflict

On Wednesday morning, 50 Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck Iranian facilities used in the production of uranium enrichment centrifuges

Many Donbass mineral reserves classified under Stalin — Donbass head

Denis Pushilin said that many deposits are still classified

Russia, China to hold joint military drills in 2025 — Vladimir Putin

The Russian president stressed that this is extremely important for ensuring stability in global affairs

Press review: US may abandon Ukraine talks as Mideast braces for escalation

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, June 20th

Putin to speak at plenary session of St. Petersburg International Economic Forum

At first, the Russian leader is expected to deliver a speech about the situation in politics and economy, both on the domestic and global level

Zelensky's hard-luck trip, Middle East: Putin talks global developments with Xi

The conversation between the two leaders was devoted "primarily to discussing the aggravated situation in the Middle East"

Iran threatens to attack Israel's Channel 14 television

According to the Fars news agency, Tehran views the television channel as a center of "propaganda and support for terrorism"

Russia receives no military assistance requests from Iran — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov noted that Russia’s support for Iran is evident

Senior Russian diplomat calls for containing Israel-Iran conflict

According to Russian Special Presidential Envoy for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov, the conflict has already gone hybrid

Russian army to liberate last 20 sq. km of Lugansk region — LPR head

According to military reports, the Russian army can free this territory within the shortest time possible

Durov irks French intelligence services waging information war against Russia — media

According to the report, the French intelligence agencies were particularly irritated by Durov's statements about the alleged trip of Nicolas Lerner, the chief of the French Directorate General for External Security, to Romania

Many unidentified bodies of Ukrainian soldiers in Zaporozhye region — Russian official

Yevgeny Balitsky also emphasized that, in general, Kiev’s losses are significantly higher than those of the Russian army

Iran urges UN Security Council to demand Israel halt attacks on nuclear facilities

"Iran also urges the Security Council to demand an immediate cessation of all such attacks and to reaffirm the inviolability of safeguarded nuclear sites and facilities, in line with international law and the Charter of the United Nations, the Statute of the Agency, and IAEA General Conference Resolutions," the letter said

US intervention to entail terrible turn in conflict around Iran — Kremlin

Earlier, Bloomberg reported that the United States was preparing for a potential strike on Iran in the coming days, though there was uncertainty about whether plans might change

US use of nuclear weapons in Iran would lead to catastrophic developments — Kremlin

As Dmitry Peskov noted, there are so many speculations that "it’s impossible to comment on them"

Trump to make decision on strikes on Iran within two weeks — White House

The US President believes that there still are chances for diplomacy with Tehran

US sees possibility of using tactical nuclear weapons in Iran — Fox News journalist

Earlier, The Guardian wrote that US President Donald Trump was not examining the possibility of using tactical nuclear weapons for a strike on the facility

Putin to deliver lengthy, comprehensive address to SPIEF — Kremlin spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, guests from Indonesia, Bahrain and China will also address the event

Bundestag member suggests Russia, US team up to bring Nord Streams back online

According to Matthias Moosdorf, Alternative for Germany would support bringing the pipelines back online

Taurus missiles won’t stop Russia’s advance in special op zone — Putin

Russian President noted that taking into account the fact that the Ukrainian armed forces are only 47% staffed, the presence of Taurus missiles "makes absolutely no sense"

Russia enjoys strategic advantage in its special military op in Ukraine — Putin

Troops are advancing along the entire line of contact, Russian President said

INTERVIEW: American companies want to return to Russia — presidential envoy

At the same time, Russian presidential envoy for relations with international organizations Boris Titov added that "there is a small flow [of companies returning into Russia] even now"

Mounting costs may prevent Israel from conducting lengthy war against Iran — newspaper

According to The Wall Street Journal, air defenses alone can amount to $200 million a day, while ammunition and aircraft also add to the price tag of the war

Fall of Iranian government to create instability across Middle East, Hungarian PM warns

Viktor Orban stated that neither Hungary nor any other country should be interested in such a scenario because it would inevitably lead to a sharp rise in oil and gas prices on global markets

In conflict with Israel, Hezbollah will do ‘what it sees fit’ — leader

Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem did not elaborate on whether the movement plans full-scale participation in the ongoing armed conflict

Russia-Arab summit to strengthen Moscow's ties with Arab world — Bahraini minister

According to Abdullah Adel Abdullah Fakhro, Bahrain has initiatives that will be put forward during the summit related to the launch of a platform for Arab-Russian industrial cooperation and the creation of a mechanism to facilitate trade exchanges between Russia and the Arab League

Air defenses in action in southwest Tehran

Apart from that, the agency said an explosion was heard near the city of Rasht in the north of the Islamic Republic

Russia warns US against interfering in military actions against Iran — MFA

Maria Zakharova said that it would be an extremely dangerous step with unpredictable negative consequences

Strike on Bushehr NPP may trigger nuclear disaster similar to Chernobyl — Rosatom head

Alexey Likhachev, the CEO of Russia’s state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom expressed hope that Israel’s political and military leadership understands that even an accidental hit on Bushehr must be prevented

Press review: Washington mulls Iran strike as Russia and US plan 15 joint ventures by 2025

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, June 19th

Kiev regime knows peace would lead to its ouster from power — Russian Foreign Ministry

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that the use of a wide range of repressive measures against much of the population is necessary for Kiev as the only and surest way to maintain power

Russia, Indonesia to develop defense cooperation — declaration

The sides alsi plan to improve the legal framework for military cooperation

Civilian site such as Bushehr nuke plant cannot withstand missile strike — Rosatom CEO

Alexey Likhachev explained that just like any other civilian facility, the Bushehr NPP was not shielded from deliberate aggression

Russia plans to gradually increase production of aircraft — minister

According to Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov 23 MS-21 planes are currently at various stages of completion at the production in Irkutsk

White House believes Iran can create nuclear weapon in ‘couple weeks’

"That is something that the entire world, including countries like Russia, is in agreement that Iran should not and cannot obtain a nuclear weapon," Karoline Leavitt stressed

Russian troops liberate Novonikolayevka community in Donetsk region over past day

Kiev loses 1,365 troops in all frontline areas over past day

Return of Western companies to Russia unrealistic for now, Kremlin believes

"No companies are planning to return to Russia yet," Dmitry Peskov said

Iran was not making nuclear bomb when Israeli attacks began — IAEA chief

The two countries continue to exchange strikes

Iran takes full control of Israel’s airspace — agency

The IRGC called on the residents of Tel Aviv’s Neve Tzedek neighborhood to evacuate, the Mehr news agency reported

Talks with Ukraine, Western provocation, and the Middle East: Russian MFA’s statements

The timing of the third round of Russia-Ukraine negotiations "will be set in the near future"

Kremlin says Russia tolerant of Trump's way of speaking, expects reciprocity

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that President Trump has his own unique way of speaking

Israel hits military, industrial, scientific facilities in Tehran — army statement

According to the Israeli army, the overnight attack involved 60 fighter jets, which fired about 120 munitions